In modern medicine, we are capturing a huge amount of biological data from our bodies through the work of clinicians and laboratories and through sensors and devices. Digital storage of those data creates an explosion of information about each patient and creates new opportunities to understand our unique traits through gathering and analyzing all this information. Tailoring diagnostics and treatment to each individual based on large amounts of the population’s health information is called “Precision Medicine”.

In order to implement such practice, we need to overcome the barriers of today: Data is stored in different locations and with different format, in systems that cannot communicate. New advanced algorithms and applications are needed to handle and analyze such big data. Our privacy laws needs to balance the protection of our sensitive personal data with the opportunities of increased health outcomes for more people. And maybe the hardest part, we need to redesign our health care delivery to enable advanced tailored care.

BigMed is an ambitious project that will identify and address these barriers in order to move one step further in the direction of Precision Medicine in Norway. Funded by the Norwegian Research Council and a handful of partners dedicated to making a difference, we aim to create a platform for further leaps and help nourish an expanding ecosystem of partners from the clinical academic and commercial worlds.